The Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) is pushing for the filing of charges against the businessman who went viral for setting off a fireworks display during the New Year revelry.
PSSO Head Angel Sumagsay told reporters after Monday’s flag ceremony that they have already provided guidance to the Davao City Police Office.
“Atoang guidance sa DCPO is to really file an appropriate case to that person (Our guidance to the DCPO is to file the appropriate case against that person),” he said.
Sumagaysay said that penalizing the suspect is just proper for violating the city’s ban on firecrackers.
“Known nata ana and dili ta pwede ana, nganong magpatuga-tuga man siya’g pabuto (We are already known [for the implementation of a firecracker ban] and we are not allowed to [set off firecrackers], why would that person violate such [practice]),” Sumagaysay said.
City Ordinance 060-02, passed in 2002, is being vigorously implemented in the city for more than two decades now.
Under the ordinance, first-time violators will be fined P1,000 or 20 to 30 days imprisonment or both; second-time offenders will be fined P3,000 or one to three months imprisonment or both; and third-time violators will be fined P5,000 or three to six months imprisonment or both.
DCPO Spokesperson, P. Capt. Hazel Tuazon, in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio’s Madayaw Dabaw Morning program, said that they have already identified the violator.
“Identifed na gyud siya, kaila siya sa atong duha ka witness (The suspect has been identified by our two witness),” Tuazon said.
She said the suspect is a businessman and a resident of Surigao del Sur.
Tuazon said that aside from the filing of the case for violating the city ordinance, they are also looking at the possibility of charging the suspect for violation of Republic Act 7183 or the Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices. CIO
